6 Colo. Code Regs. § 1011-1-2.8

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, June 10, 2024

Section 6 CCR 1011-1-2.8 - Client Services

2.8.1 The BHE shall ensure clients are treated in the least restrictive appropriate setting.

2.8.2 The BHE shall comply with 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 8, regarding the protection of clients from involuntary restraint and seclusion and any endorsement-specific seclusion or restraint requirements as set forth in this Chapter.

2.8.3 The BHE may use telehealth methods for the provision of services under these regulations except for services that specifically require in-person contact.

(A) If the BHE uses telehealth methods, it shall develop and implement policies and procedures regarding telehealth services. Such policies may be for the BHE, a physical location, or an endorsement, as appropriate, and shall include, at a minimum, a requirement that telehealth services be provided only through synchronous, interactive audio-visual methods, not including voice-only or text-only methods such as telephone, text message, or email.

(B) Services provided via telehealth methods shall be documented in the client record, consistent with documentation as required for in-person services.

2.8.4 The BHE shall develop and implement policies and procedures regarding behavioral health emergency services and methods for addressing clients or individuals with unexpected high-acuity and/or urgent behavioral health needs. Such policies and procedures may be for the BHE, an endorsement, or a physical location, as appropriate, and shall include, but not be limited to:

(A) The behavioral health emergency services provided by the BHE, if any, and the hours during which such behavioral health emergency services are available, with a separate identification of the mental health disorder emergency services and the substance use disorder emergency services provided by the BHE.

(B) How the BHE ensures access to behavioral health emergency services when not provided directly by the BHE, including, but not limited to:

(1) Criteria used in determining when behavioral health emergency services are needed.

(2) Protocols and/or transfer agreements with other behavioral health providers or facilities.

(3) Methods of providing information to clients to ensure understanding of how to access behavioral health emergency services.

(C) The methods for identifying and responding to and/or mitigating sudden or unpredictable high-acuity or increased needs in existing clients.

2.8.5 The BHE shall develop and implement policies and procedures regarding access to emergency medical services. Such policies and procedures may be for the BHE, an endorsement, or a physical location, as appropriate, and shall include, but not be limited to:

(A) The medical emergency services provided by the BHE, if any, and the hours during which such medical emergency services are available.

(B) How the BHE ensures access to medical emergency services when not provided directly by the BHE, including, but not limited to:

(1) Criteria used in determining when medical emergency services are needed.

(2) Protocols and/or transfer agreements with emergency medical providers or facilities.

(3) Methods of providing information to clients to ensure understanding of how to access medical emergency services.

2.8.6 The BHE shall inform clients how to access medical and behavioral health emergency services twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.

2.8.7 The BHE shall provide care coordination for each client, or support continuity of care when such care coordination is provided by another entity, until the client is discharged, both with internal service providers and known external service providers, as appropriate.

2.8.8 The BHE shall develop and implement policies and procedures for providing clients with referrals to other providers when the client needs care that falls outside of the services provided by the BHE.

(A) The BHE shall be responsible for providing care coordination for clients who receive additional services outside of the BHE.

(B) To facilitate continuity of care when transferring to another provider, pertinent documentation shall be made immediately available to the receiving care provider.

6 CCR 1011-1-2.8